Manchester United loanee Mason Greenwood could have the opportunity to switch national allegiance away from England if he wants to save his international career.
Greenwood made his exit from Old Trafford in the summer after La Liga side Getafe agreed a season-long loan deal, which allowed the player a route back into football.
The 22-year-old United forward had charges of attempted rape and assault dropped in February, but Greenwood’s future at the Premier League club is all but over.
United in August confirmed that Greenwood would leave the club by ‘mutual agreement’ after the Red Devils completed their six-month internal investigation.
Greenwood returned to first-team football with Getafe and the United loanee scored for the first time since January 2022 in his side’s 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo.
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Jamaica opens door for Greenwood
Despite his return to club football, Greenwood’s international future under England manager Gareth Southgate remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Greenwood, who was born in Bradford, is of Jamaican descent and would be eligible to represent Jamaica if he decided to switch international allegiances.
Jamaica boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has revealed that the Getafe player could choose to represent the ‘Reggae Boyz’ if he returns to his “former fitness and former levels.”
Speaking to reporters (via Goal), he said: “We would like to have the best talent on our team.
“If he gets his former fitness and former levels, then for sure he would have that level to help Jamaica.”
Why can Greenwood switch international allegiance?
Under FIFA’s current rules, a player such as Greenwood is eligible to switch their international allegiance if they are able to meet certain requirements.
One such requirement includes that players must not have played in more than three competitive senior matches for a country before the age of 21.
The player can’t have represented a country at a major tournament, including the World Cup, and it must be at least three years since their last senior appearance.
Greenwood has only been capped once by England after Southgate used him in the Three Lions’ Nations League clash against Iceland in 2020.
Since his last appearance came for England in 2020, Greenwood would be eligible for the ‘Reggae Boyz’ if the Jamaican federation lodged a formal appeal to FIFA.
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